Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency using cryptography for security. Ethereum, created in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, introduced smart contracts for decentralized applications. Ripple (XRP) aims to facilitate fast, low-cost international payments. Litecoin, launched in 2011, offers quicker transaction times and lower fees than Bitcoin. These cryptocurrencies promise transparency, security, and decentralization in finance$ETH $XRP